Process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes in the presence of a catalytic system comprising a bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt

ABSTRACT

Process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes which comprises polymerizing at least one conjugated diene in the presence of a catalytic system comprising at least one bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I): wherein: R 2  and R 3 , equal to or different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched C 1 -C 20  preferably C 1 -C 15 , alkyl groups, optionally halogenated, cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted, aryl groups optionally substituted; R 1  and R 4 , different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched C 1 -C 20  preferably C 1 -C 15 , alkyl groups, optionally halogenated, cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted, aryl groups optionally substituted; arylalkyl groups; or R 1  and R 2  can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C 1 -C 20 , preferably C 1 -C 15 , alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing other heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium; or R 3  and R 4 , can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C 1 -C 20 , preferably C 1 -C 15 , alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing other heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium; R 5 , R 6  and R 7 , equal to or different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom, or they are selected from linear or branched C 1 -C 20 , preferably C 1 -C 15 , alkyl groups, optionally halogenated, cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted; aryl groups optionally substituted; arylalkyl groups; or R 5  and R 6 , can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C 1 -C 20 , preferably C 1 -C 15 , alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing other heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, -sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium; or R 6  and R 7 , can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C 1 -C 20 , preferably C 1 -C 15 , alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing other heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium; X 1  and X 2 , equal to or different from each other, represent a halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine; or they are selected from linear or branched C 1 -C 20 , preferably C 1 -C 15 , alkyl groups, —OCOR 8  groups or —OR 8  groups wherein R 8  is selected from linear or branched C 1 -C 20 /preferably C 1 -C 15 , alkyl groups.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes which comprises polymerizing at least one conjugated diene in the presence of a catalytic system comprising a bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt.

It is known that the stereospecific (co)polymerization of conjugated dienes is an extremely important process in the chemical industry for obtaining products which are among the most widely-used rubbers.

It is also known that among the various polymers that can be obtained from the stereospecific polymerization of 1,3-butadiene (i.e. 1,4-cis, 1,4-trans, 1,2 syndiotactic, 1,2 isotactic, 1,2 atactic, mixed 1,4-cis/1,2 structure having a variable content of 1,2 units), only 1,4-cis polybutadiene and 1,2 syndiotactic polybutadiene are produced industrially and commercially available. Further details relating to these polymers can be found, for example, in: Takeuchi Y. et al., “New Industrial Polymers”, “American Chemical Society Symposium Series” (1974), Vol. 4, pages 15-25; Halasa A. F. et al., “Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology” (1989), 4^(th) Ed., Kroschwitz J. I. Ed., John Wiley and Sons, New York, Vol. 8, pages 1031-1045; Tate D. et al., “Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering (1989), 2^(nd) Ed., Mark H. F. Ed., John Wiley and Sons, New York, Vol. 2, pages 537-590; Kerns M. et al., “Butadiene Polymers”, in “Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology” (2003), Mark H. F. Ed., Wiley, Vol. 5, pages 317-356.

1,4-cis polybutadiene is a synthetic elastomer, generally having a content of 1,4-cis units equal to 96%-97%, a melting point (T_(m)) of about −2° C., a crystallization temperature (T_(c)) of about −25° C. and a glass transition temperature (T_(g)) below −100° C., whose properties are very similar to those of natural rubber and whose main use is in the production of tyres for motor vehicles and/or trucks. In particular, in the production of tyres, polybutadiene with a high content of 1,4-cis units is used.

1,4-cis polybutadiene is generally prepared through polymerization processes which use various catalytic systems comprising catalysts based on titanium (Ti), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd). Catalytic systems comprising catalysts based on cobalt have a high catalytic activity and stereospecificity and can be considered as being the most versatile among those listed above as, by varying their formulation, they are capable of providing all the possible stereoisomers of polybutadiene indicated above, as described, for example, in: Porri L. et al., “Comprehensive Polymer Science” (1989), Eastmond G. C. et al. Eds., Pergamon Press, Oxford, UK, Vol. 4, Part II, pages 53-108; Thiele S. K. H. et al., “Macromolecular Science. Part C: Polymer Reviews” (2003), C43, pages 581-628; Osakada, K. et al., “Advanced Polymer Science” (2004), Vol. 171, pages 137-194; Ricci G. et al., “Advances in Organometallic Chemistry Research” (2007), Yamamoto K. Ed., Nova Science Publisher, Inc., USA, pages 1-36; Ricci G. et al., “Coordination Chemistry Reviews” (2010), Vol. 254, pages 661-676; Ricci G. et al., “Cobalt: Characteristics, Compounds, and Applications” (2011), Lucas J. Vidmar Ed., Nova Science Publisher, Inc., USA, pages 39-81.

The catalytic system cobalt bis-acetylacetonate/di-ethylaluminium chloride/water [Co(acac)₂/AlEt₂Cl/H₂O], for example, provides a polybutadiene having a content of 1,4-cis units equal to about 97% and is that normally used for the industrial production of this polymer as described, for example, in Racanelli P. et al., “European Polymer Journal” (1970), Vol. 6, pages 751-761. The catalytic system cobalt tris-acetylacetonate/methylaluminoxane [Co(acac)₃/MAO.] also provides a polybutadiene having a content of 1,4-cis units equal to about 97%, as described, for example in: Ricci G. et al., “Polymer Communication” (1991), Vol. 32, pages 514-517.

The catalytic system cobalt tris-acetylacetonate/tri-ethylaluminium/water[Co(acac)₃/AlEt₃/H₂O], on the other hand, provides a polybutadiene having a mixed 1,4-cis/1,2 equibinary structure as described, for example, in: Furukawa J. et al., “Polymer Journal” (1971), Vol. 2, pages 371-378. This catalytic system, in the presence of carbon disulfide (CS₂), is used, on the other hand, in processes for the industrial production of highly crystalline 1,2 syndiotactic polybutadiene: further details relating to these processes can be found, for example, in: Ashitaka H. et al., “Journal of Polymer Science: Polymer Chemistry Edition” (1983), Vol. 21, pages 1853-1860; Ashitaka H. et al., “Journal of Polymer Science: Polymer Chemistry Edition” (1983), Vol. 21, pages 1951-1972; Ashitaka H. et al., “Journal of Polymer Science: Polymer Chemistry Edition” (1983), Vol. 21, pages 1973-1988; Ashitaka H. et al., “Journal of Polymer Science: Polymer Chemistry Edition” (1983), Vol. 21, pages 1989-1995.

An extremely active and stereospecific catalytic system for the preparation of 1,2-syndiotactic polybutadiene can be obtained by the combination of the cobalt allyl complex (η⁴-C₄H₆)(η⁵-C₈H₁₃)Co described, for example, by Natta G. et al., “Chemical Communications” (1967), Issue 24, pages 1263-1265, with carbon disulfide (CS₂), as described, for example, in: Ricci G. et al., “Polymer Communication” (1988), Vol. 29, pages 305-307. Said catalytic system is capable of dimerizing 1,3-butadiene at room temperature, as described, for example, in American patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,805, but is only capable of giving 1,2-syndiotactic polymers when operating at low temperatures (−30° C.) as described, for example, in: Ricci G. et al., “Polymer Communication” (1988), Vol. 29, pages 305-307.

1,2-syndiotactic polybutadienes can also be produced using catalytic systems obtained by a combination of cobalt dichloride (CoCl₂) or cobalt dibromide (CoBr₂) with organic compounds of aluminium (e.g. alkyl compounds of aluminium), water and phosphines (e.g., triphenylphosphine) as described, for example, in the following American patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,805, U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,939, U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,697, U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,833, U.S. Pat. No. 3,498,963, U.S. Pat. No. 3,522,332, U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,813, U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,045, U.S. Pat. No. 7,009,013. The regioregularity and crystallinity of the polybutadienes obtained with said catalytic systems are much lower (e.g., 80%-90% of 1,2 units, melting point (T_(m)) ranging from 75° C. to 90° C.) with respect to those of the polybutadienes obtained with the catalytic system described in: Ricci G. et al., “Polymer Communication” (1988), Vol. 29, pages 305-307, indicated above.

Further details relating to the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene with catalytic systems comprising complexes of cobalt with various phosphines are provided, for example, in: Ricci G. et al., “Macromolecules” (2005), Vol. 38, pages 1064-1070; Ricci G. et al., “Journal of Organometallic Chemistry” (2005), Vol. 690, pages 1845-1854; Takeuchi M. et al., “Polymer International” (1992), Vol. 29, pages 209-212; Takeuchi M. et al., “Polymer International” (1995), Vol. 36, pages 41-45; Takeuchi M. et al., “Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics” (1996), Vol. 197, pages 729-743; or in Italian patents IT 1,349,141, IT 1,349,142, IT 1,349,143. The use of various phosphines derives from the fact that it is well known how the steric and electronic properties of phosphines greatly depend on the type of substituents on the phosphorous atom as described, for example, in: Dierkes P. et al., “Journal of Chemical Society, Dalton Transactions” (1999), pages 1519-1530; van Leeuwen P. et al., “Chemical Reviews” (2000), Vol. 100, pages 2741-2769; Freixa Z. et al, “Dalton Transactions” (2003), pages 1890-1901; Tolman C., “Chemical Reviews” (1977), Vol. 77, pages 313-348.

The documents relating to the use of phosphines indicated above, show how the use of phosphine complexes of cobalt combined with methylaluminoxane (MAO) can allow the microstructure of polybutadiene to be managed, thus allowing polybutadienes with different structures to be obtained, depending on the type of phosphine coordinated with the cobalt atom.

The polymerization of 1,3-butadiene with catalytic systems comprising complexes of cobalt with sterically hindered aliphatic phosphines (e.g., P^(t)Bu₃, P^(i)Pr₃, P^(t)Bu₂Me, PCy₃, PCyp₃ wherein P=phosphorous, ^(t)Bu=tert-butyl, ^(i)Pr=iso-propyl, Cy=cyclohexyl and Cyp=cyclopentyl), provides polybutadienes with prevalently 1,4-cis structure, whereas polybutadienes having a mixed 1,4-cis/1,2 structure have been obtained using catalytic systems comprising complexes of cobalt with phosphines having a lower steric hindrance (e.g., PCy₂H; P^(t)Bu₂H; PEt₃; P^(n)Pr₃ wherein P=phosphorous, Cy=cyclohexyl, ^(t)Bu=tert-butyl, Et=ethyl and ^(n)Pr=n-propyl), as described, for example, in: Ricci G. et al., “Advances in Organometallic Chemistry Research” (2007), Yamamoto K. Ed., Nova Science Publisher, Inc., USA, pages 1-36; Ricci G. et al., “Coordination Chemistry Reviews” (2010), Vol. 254, pages 661-676; Ricci G. et al., “Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical” (2005), Vol. 226, pages 235-241; and in Italian patent application IT 1,349,141.

Polybutadienes with a high content of 1,4-cis units (about 95%) have been obtained with catalytic systems comprising complexes of cobalt with bidentate phosphines [e.g., CoCl₂[R₂P(CH₂)_(n)PR₂]/MAO, wherein Co=cobalt, Cl=chlorine, R=methyl, ethyl, phenyl, n=1 or 2, P=phosphorous and MAO=methylaluminoxane), regardless of the type of bidentate phosphine coordinated with the cobalt atom, as described, for example, in: Ricci G. et al., “Advances in Organometallic Chemistry Research” (2007), Yamamoto K. Ed., Nova Science Publisher, Inc., USA, pages 1-36; Ricci G. et al., “Coordination Chemistry Reviews” (2010), Vol. 254, pages 661-676; and in Italian patent application IT 1,349,141.

Catalytic systems comprising complexes of cobalt with ligands selected from aromatic phosphines [e.g., CoCl₂(PRPh₂)₂/MAO (wherein Co=cobalt, Cl=chlorine, P=phosphorous, R=methyl, n-propyl, ethyl, iso-propyl, cyclohexyl, Ph=phenyl, MAO=methylaluminoxane] have, on the other hand, proved to be extremely active for the 1,2 polymerization of 1,3-butadiene as described, for example, in: Ricci G. et al., “Advances in Organometallic Chemistry Research” (2007), Yamamoto K. Ed., Nova Science Publisher, Inc., USA, pages 1-36; Ricci G. et al., “Coordination Chemistry Reviews” (2010), Vol. 254, pages 661-676; Ricci G. et al., “Macromolecules” (2005), Vol. 38, pages 1064-1070; Ricci G. et al., “Journal of Organometallic Chemistry” (2005), Vol. 690, pages 1845-1854; or in Italian patent application IT 1,349,143. Using these catalytic systems, in fact, polybutadienes with an essentially 1,2 structure have been obtained (within a range of 70% to 88%, having a variable content of 1,2 units in relation to the type of complex and polymerization conditions. It has also been observed that the tacticity of the polybutadienes obtained greatly depends on the type of complex, i.e. the type of phosphine bound to the cobalt atom and that the syndiotacticity index (expressed as a percentage of syndiotactic triads “rr”), determined by the ¹³C-NMR spectra, increases with an increase in the steric requirement of the alkyl group bound to the phosphorous atom.

The 1,2 polybutadienes obtained with cobalt systems with less sterically hindered phosphine ligands (e.g., PMePh₂; PEtPh₂; P^(n)PrPh₂ wherein P=phosphorous, Me=methyl, Ph=phenyl, ^(n)Pr=n-propyl) have proved to be amorphous, whereas the polybutadienes obtained with catalytic systems using phosphine ligands with a higher steric hindrance (e.g., P′PrPh₂, PCyPh₂ wherein P=phosphorous, ^(i)Pr=iso-propyl, Ph=phenyl, Cy cyclohexyl), have proved to be crystalline, with a melting point (T_(m)) of 110° C.-120° C., depending on the polymerization conditions.

The polymerization of 1,3-butadiene with catalytic systems comprising complexes of cobalt with aromatic phosphines having the formula CoCl₂(PR₂Ph)₂/MAO (wherein Co=cobalt, Cl=chlorine, R=methyl, ethyl, cyclohexyl, Ph=phenyl, MAO=methylaluminoxane), has also been studied, as described, for example, in: Ricci G. et al., “Advances in Organometallic Chemistry Research” (2007), Yamamoto K. Ed., Nova Science Publisher, Inc., USA, pages 1-36; Ricci G. et al., “Coordination Chemistry Reviews” (2010), Vol. 254, pages 661-676; Ricci G. et al., “Journal of Organometallic Chemistry” (2005), Vol. 690, pages 1845-1854; or in Italian patent application IT 1,349,143. Using these catalytic systems, essentially 1,2-polybutadienes have been obtained, but the syndiotacticity index of the polymers, with the same polymerization conditions, has generally proved to be slightly lower with respect to that of the 1,2-polybutadienes obtained with catalytic systems comprising complexes of cobalt with aromatic phosphines having the formula CoCl₂(PRPh)₂/MAO described above.

More recently, following the success obtained using the above catalytic systems comprising phosphine complexes of cobalt, also various catalytic systems comprising complexes of cobalt with ligands containing nitrogen or oxygen as donor atom, have been studied.

Kim J. S. et al., in “e-Polymer” (s) (2006), No. 27, for example, describe the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene with catalytic systems comprising complexes of cobalt with bis(imino)pyridine and ethylaluminiumsesquichloride [Al₂Et₃Cl₃ (EASC)] ligands. These catalytic systems have proved to be particularly active, providing high-molecular-weight polybutadienes having a content of 1,4-cis units equal to 96.4%.

Catalytic systems comprising cobalt complexes having the formula (Salen)Co(II) (wherein Salen=bis(salicylaldehyde)ethylenediiminate, Co=cobalt) and methylaluminoxane (MAO), characterized by a high activity and 1,4-cis selectivity, are described, for example by Endo K. et al., in “Journal of Polymer Science: Part A: Polymer Chemistry” (2006), vol. 44, pages 4088-4094.

Cariou R. et al., in “Dalton Transactions” (2010), Vol. 39, pages 9039-9045, describe the synthesis and characterization of a series of complexes of cobalt (II) [Co(II)] with bis(benzimidazole) which, when combined with methylaluminoxane (MAO), have proved to be highly selective for the 1,4-cis polymerization of 1,3-butadiene.

The synthesis and characterization of a series of complexes of cobalt (II) [Co(II)] with dibenzimidazole ligands and their use, combined with ethylaluminiumsesquichloride (EASC), for the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene, are described by Appukuttan et al., in “Polymer” (2009), Vol. 50, pages 1150-1158: the catalytic systems obtained are characterized by a high catalytic activity and also a high 1,4-cis selectivity (up to 97%).

Complexes of cobalt with 2,6-bis[1-(iminophenyl)ethyl]pyridine ligands were synthesized and characterized by Gong D. et al., as described in “Polymer” (2009), Vol. 50, pages 6259-6264. These complexes, combined with methylaluminoxane (MAO), were tested for the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene, providing catalytic systems capable of giving 1,4-cis or 1,4-trans polybutadiene, in relation to the MAO/Co ratio. When operating with a MAO/Co molar ratio equal to 50, in fact, an essentially 1,4 trans polybutadiene was obtained (about 94.4%), whereas, when operating with a MAO/Co molar ratio equal to 100, a prevalently 1,4-cis polybutadiene was obtained (about 79%).

In “Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical (2010), Vol. 325, pages 84-90, Appukuttan V. et al., describe a series of complexes having general formula [Py(Bm-R)₂]CoCl₂ (wherein Py=pyridyl, Bm benzimidazolyl, R=hydrogen, methyl, benzimidazole, Co=cobalt, Cl=chlorine), capable of providing, when combined with methylaluminoxane (MAO), high-molecular-weight 1,4-cis polybutadiene.

In “Journal of Organometallic Chemistry” (2011), Vol. 696, pages 1584-1590, Gong D. et al., describe a series of 2,6-bis(imino)pyridine complexes of cobalt (II) [Co(II)] which, when combined with methylaluminoxane (MAO) as co-catalyst, show a relatively good activity in the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene, allowing a polybutadiene to be obtained, having a 1,4-cis microstructure within a range of 77.5% to 97%, with control of both the molecular weight and also the molecular weight distribution.

Finally, Jie S. et al., in “Dalton Transactions” (2011), Vol. 40, pages 10975-10982 and Ai P. et al., in “Journal of Organometallic Chemistry” (2012), Vol. 705, pages 51-58, have recently described the possibility of obtaining polybutadiene with a high content of 1,4-cis units (>96%) with catalytic systems comprising catalysts based on complexes of cobalt with 3-aryliminomethyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde ligands, or with ligands of the NNO type (imino- or amino-pyridyl alcohols), respectively.

As already indicated above, as (co)polymers of conjugated dienes, in particular polybutadiene with a high content of 1,4-cis units, are the most widely-used polymers on an industrial scale, in particular for the production of tyres, the study of new processes capable of providing said (co)polymers is still of great interest.

The Applicant has considered the problem of finding a new process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes, such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, in particular linear or branched polybutadiene with a high content of 1,4-cis units, i.e. a content of 1,4-cis units 97%.

The Applicant has now found that the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes, such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, in particular linear or branched polybutadiene with a high content of 1,4-cis units, i.e. a content of 1,4-cis units 97%, can be advantageously carried out in the presence of a catalytic system comprising at least one bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) defined hereunder.

An object of the present invention therefore relates to a process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes which comprises polymerizing at least one conjugated diene in the presence of a catalytic system comprising at least one bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I):

wherein:

-   -   R₂ and R₃, equal to or different from each other, represent a         hydrogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched         C₁-C₂₀ preferably C₁-C₁₅, alkyl groups, optionally halogenated,         cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted; aryl groups optionally         substituted;     -   R₁ and R₄, different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom;         or they are selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀, preferably         C₁-C₁₅, alkyl groups, optionally halogenated, cycloalkyl groups         optionally substituted; aryl groups optionally substituted;         arylalkyl groups;     -   or R₁ and R₂ can be optionally bound to each other to form,         together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle         containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or         aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C₁-C₂₀,         preferably C₁-C₁₅, alkyl groups, said cycle optionally         containing other heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen,         sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium;     -   or R₃ and R₄, can be optionally bound to each other to form,         together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle         containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or         aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C₁-C₂₀,         preferably C₁-C₁₅, alkyl groups, said cycle optionally         containing other heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen,         sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium;     -   R₅, R₆ and R₇, equal to or different from each other, represent         a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched         C₁-C₂₀, preferably C₁-C₁₅, alkyl groups, optionally halogenated,         cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted, aryl groups optionally         substituted, arylalkyl groups;     -   or R₅ and R₆, can be optionally bound to each other to form,         together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle         containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or         aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C₁-C₂₀,         preferably C₁-C₁₅, alkyl groups, said cycle optionally         containing other heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen,         sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium;     -   or R₆ and R₇, can be optionally bound to each other to form,         together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle         containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or         aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C₁-C₂₀,         preferably C₁-C₁₅, alkyl groups, said cycle optionally         containing other heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen,         sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium;     -   X₁ and X₂, equal to or different from each other, represent a         halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine; or         they are selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀, preferably         C₁-C₁₅, alkyl groups, —OCOR₈ groups or —OR₈ groups wherein R₈ is         selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀, preferably C₁-C₁₅,         alkyl groups.

For the aim of the present description and of the following claims, the definitions of the numerical intervals always include the extremes, unless otherwise specified.

For the aim of the present description and of the following claims, the term “comprising” also includes the terms “which essentially consist of” or “which consists of”.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said catalytic system can comprise at least one co-catalyst (b) selected from organic compounds of an element M′ different from carbon, said element M′ being selected from elements belonging to groups 2, 12, 13 or 14 of the Periodic Table of Elements, preferably from: boron, aluminium, zinc, magnesium, gallium, tin, even more preferably from aluminium, boron.

The formation of the catalytic system comprising the bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) and the co-catalyst (b) is generally and preferably carried out in an inert liquid medium, more preferably in a hydrocarbon solvent. The choice of bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) and of co-catalyst (b), as well as the particular method used, can vary in relation to the molecular structures and to the desired result, according to what is analogously described in specific literature available to experts in the field for other complexes of transition metals with imino ligands, as described, for example, by L. K. Johnson et al. in “Journal of the American Chemical Society” (1995), Vol. 117, pages 6414-6415, and G. van Koten et al. in “Advances in Organometallic Chemistry” (1982), Vol. 21, pages 151-239.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, said co-catalyst (b) can be selected from (b₁) aluminium alkyls having general formula (II): Al(X′)_(n)(R₉)_(3-n)  (II) wherein X′ represents a halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine, fluorine; R₉ is selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, said groups being optionally substituted with one or more silicon or germanium atoms; and n is an integer ranging from 0 to 2.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, said co-catalyst (b) can be selected from (b₂) organo-oxygenated compounds of an element M′ different from carbon belonging to groups 13 or 14 of the Periodic Table of Elements, preferably organo-oxygenated compounds of aluminium, gallium, tin. Said organo-oxygenated compounds (b₂) can be defined as organic compounds of M′, wherein the latter is bound to at least one oxygen atom and to at least one organic group consisting of an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably methyl.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, said co-catalyst (b) can be selected from (b₃) organometallic compounds or mixtures of organometallic compounds of an element M′ different from carbon capable of reacting with the bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I), extracting therefrom a substituent X₁ or X₂ σ-bound, to form, on the one hand, at least one neutral compound, and on the other, an ionic compound consisting of a cation containing the metal (Co) coordinated by the ligand, and a non-coordinating organic anion containing the metal M′, wherein the negative charge is delocalized on a multicentric structure.

It should be noted that, for the aim of the present invention and of the following claims, the term “Periodic Table of Elements” refers to the IUPAC version of the “Periodic Table of Elements” dated Jun. 22, 2007, provided in the following Internet website www.iupac.org/fileadmin/user upload/news/IUPAC Periodic Table-1Jun12.pdf.

The term “C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups” refers to linear or branched alkyl groups having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Specific examples of C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups are: methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, s-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, 2-butyloctyl, 5-methylhexyl, 4-ethylhexyl, 2-ethylheptyl, 2-ethylhexyl.

The term “C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups optionally halogenated” refers to alkyl groups having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted with a halogen atom such as, for example, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, preferably fluorine, chlorine. Specific examples of C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups optionally halogenated containing heteroatoms are: fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trichlororoethyl, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl, 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl, perfluoropentyl, perfluoroctyl, perfluorodecyl.

The term “cycloalkyl groups” refers to cycloalkyl groups having from 3 to 30 carbon atoms. Said cycloalkyl groups can be optionally substituted with one or more groups, equal to or different from each other, selected from: halogen atoms; hydroxyl groups; C₁-C₁₂ alkyl groups; C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyl groups; cyano groups; amino groups; nitro groups. Specific examples of cycloalkyl groups are: cyclopropyl, 2,2-difluorocyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, hexamethyl-cyclohexyl, pentamethylcyclopentyl, 2-cyclooctylethyl, methylcyclohexyl, methoxycyclohexyl, fluorocyclohexyl, phenylcyclohexyl.

The term “aryl groups” refers to aromatic carbocyclic groups. Said aromatic carbocyclic groups can be optionally substituted by one or more groups, equal to or different from each other, selected from: halogen atoms such as, for example, fluorine, chlorine, bromine; hydroxyl groups; C₁-C₁₂ alkyl groups; C₁-C₁₂ alkoxyl groups, cyano groups; amino groups; nitro groups. Specific examples of aryl groups are: phenyl, methylphenyl, trimethylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, hydroxyphenyl, phenyloxyphenyl, fluorophenyl, pentafluorophenyl, chlorophenyl, bromophenyl, nitrophenyl, dimethylaminophenyl, naphthyl, phenylnaphthyl, phenanthrene, anthracene.

The term “arylalkyl groups” refers to alkyl groups substituted with one or more aryl groups. Specific examples of arylalkyl groups are: benzyl, phenylethyl, 2,2-diphenylethyl, diphenylmethyl, 3,3-diphenylpropyl, 1,2-diphenylethyl.

The term “cyclo” refers to a system containing a ring containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally containing, in addition to the nitrogen atom optionally present, other heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, silicon, selenium, phosphorous. Specific examples of cyclo are: pyridine, thiadiazole.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said conjugated diene can be selected, for example, from: 1,3-butadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene (isoprene), 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene, 1,3-hexadiene, cyclo-1,3-hexadiene. 1,3-Butadiene, isoprene, are preferred.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in said bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I):

-   -   R₂ and R₃, equal to or different from each other, are a hydrogen         atom, or they are selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl         groups, preferably are a methyl group;     -   R₁ and R₄, different from each other, are a hydrogen atom; or         they are selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups,         preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl,         s-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, cycloalkyl groups optionally         substituted, preferably cyclohexyl, phenyl groups optionally         substituted with linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups,         preferably substituted with one or more iso-propyl, tert-butyl         groups; arylalkyl groups, preferably benzyl;     -   R₅, R₆ and R₇, equal to or different from each other, represent         a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups,         preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl,         s-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl;     -   X₁ and X₂, the same as each other, are a halogen atom such as,         for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine, preferably chlorine.

The bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) should be considered, according to the present invention, as being in any physical form such as, for example, in the form of an isolated and purified solid, solvated with a suitable solvent, or supported on suitable organic or inorganic solids, preferably having a granular or powder physical form.

The bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) is prepared starting from ligands known in the art.

Specific examples of ligands which can be used for the aim of the present invention are those having the following formulae (L1)-(L5):

Said ligands having formulae (L1)-(L5) can be prepared by means of processes known in the art. Said ligands having formulae (L1)-(L5) can be prepared, for example, by means of condensation reactions between primary amines and diketones, as described, for example, in international patent applications WO 2002/10133 and WO 2002/34701; or by Bianchini et al., in “European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry” (2003), pages 1620-1631.

The bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) can be prepared by means of processes known in the art. Said bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt can be prepared, for example, by the reaction between cobalt compounds having general formula Co(X)₂ wherein X is a halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine, preferably chlorine, as such or complexed with ethers [for example, diethylether, tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethoxyethane], with the ligands having formulae (L1)-(L5) indicated above, in a ligand (L)/cobalt (Co) molar ratio ranging from 1 to 1.5, preferably operating in the presence of at least one solvent which can be selected, for example, from: chlorinated solvents (for example, methylene chloride), ether solvents [for example, tetrahydrofuran (THF)], alcohol solvents (for example, butanol), hydrocarbon solvents (for example, toluene), or mixtures thereof, at room temperature or higher. The bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt thus obtained can be subsequently recovered by means of methods known in the art such as, for example, precipitation by means of a non-solvent (for example, pentane), followed by separation by means of filtration or decanting and optional subsequent dissolution in a suitable solvent followed by crystallization at a low temperature.

For the aim of the present description and of the following claims, the phrase “room temperature” refers to a temperature ranging from 20° C. to 25° C.

Specific examples of aluminium alkyls having general formula (II) which are particularly useful for the aim of the present invention are: tri-methyl-aluminium, tri-(2,3,3-tri-methyl-butyl)-aluminium, tri-(2,3-di-methyl-hexyl)-aluminium, tri-(2,3-di-methyl-butyl)-aluminium, tri-(2,3-di-methyl-pentyl)-aluminium, tri-(2,3-di-methyl-heptyl)-aluminium, tri-(2-methyl-3-ethyl-pentyl)-aluminium, tri-(2-methyl-3-ethyl-hexyl)-aluminium, tri-(2-methyl-3-ethyl-heptyl)-aluminium, tri-(2-methyl-3-propyl-hexyl)-aluminium, tri-ethyl-aluminium, tri-(2-ethyl-3-methyl-butyl)-aluminium, tri-(2-ethyl-3-methyl-pentyl)-aluminium, tri-(2,3-di-ethyl-pentyl-aluminium), tri-n-propyl-aluminium, tri-iso-propyl-aluminium, tri-(2-propyl-3-methyl-butyl)-aluminium, tri-(2-iso-propyl-3-methyl-butyl)-aluminium, tri-n-butyl-aluminium, tri-iso-butyl-aluminium (TIBA), tri-tert-butyl-aluminium, tri-(2-iso-butyl-3-methyl-pentyl)-aluminium, tri-(2,3,3-tri-methyl-pentyl)-aluminium, tri-(2,3,3-tri-methyl-hexyl)-aluminium, tri-(2-ethyl-3,3-di-methyl-butyl)-aluminium, tri-(2-ethyl-3,3-di-methyl-pentyl)-aluminium, tri-(2-iso-propyl-3,3-dimethyl-butyl)-aluminium, tri-(2-tri-methylsilyl-propyl)-aluminium, tri-2-methyl-3-phenyl-butyl)-aluminium, tri-(2-ethyl-3-phenyl-butyl)-aluminium, tri-(2,3-di-methyl-3-phenyl-butyl)-aluminium, tri-(2-phenyl-propyl)-aluminium, tri-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-propyl]-aluminium, tri-[2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-propyl]-aluminium, tri-[2-(3-iso-propyl-phenyl-tri-(2-phenyl-butyl)-aluminium, tri-(3-methyl-2-phenyl-butyl)-aluminium, tri-(2-phenyl-pentyl)-aluminium, tri-[2-(penta-fluoro-phenyl)-propyl]-aluminium, tri-(2,2-diphenyl-ethyl]-aluminium, tri-(2-phenyl-methyl-propyl)-aluminium, tri-pentyl-aluminium, tri-hexyl-aluminium, tri-cyclohexyl-aluminium, tri-octyl-aluminium, di-ethyl-aluminium hydride, di-n-propyl-aluminium hydride, di-n-butyl-aluminium hydride, di-iso-butyl-aluminium hydride (DIBAH), di-hexyl-aluminium hydride, di-iso-hexyl-aluminium hydride, di-octyl-aluminium hydride, di-iso-octyl-aluminium hydride, ethyl-aluminium di-hydride, n-propyl-aluminium di-hydride, iso-butyl-aluminium di-hydride, di-ethyl-aluminium chloride (DEAC), mono-ethyl-aluminium dichloride (EADC), di-methyl-aluminium chloride, di-isobutyl-aluminium chloride, iso-butyl-aluminium dichloride, ethyl-aluminium sesquichloride (EASC), and also the corresponding compounds in which one of the hydrocarbon substituents is substituted by a hydrogen atom and those in which one or two of the hydrocarbon substituents are substituted with an iso-butyl group. Di-ethyl-aluminium chloride (DEAC), mono-ethyl-aluminium dichloride (EADC), ethyl-aluminium sesquichloride (EASC), are particularly preferred.

When used for the formation of a catalytic (co)polymerization system according to the present invention, the aluminium alkyls having general formula (II) may be preferably put in contact with a bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I), in such proportions that the molar ratio between the cobalt present in the bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) and the aluminium present in the aluminium alkyls having general formula (II) can range from 5 to 5000, preferably from 10 to 1000. The sequence with which the bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) and aluminium alkyl having general formula (II) are put in contact with each other, is not particularly critical.

Further details relating to the aluminium alkyls having general formula (II) can be found in international patent application WO 2011/061151.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, said organo-oxygenated compounds (b₂) can be selected from aluminoxanes having general formula (III): (R₁₀)₂—Al—O—[—Al(R₁₁)—O—]_(p)—Al—(R₁₂)₂  (III) wherein R₁₀, R₁₁ and R₁₂, equal to or different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine, fluorine; or they are selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, said groups being optionally substituted with one or more silicon or germanium atoms; and p is an integer ranging from 0 to 1000.

As is known, aluminoxanes are compounds containing Al—O—Al bonds, with a variable O/Al ratio, which can be obtained by means of processes known in the art such as, for example, by reaction, under controlled conditions, of an aluminium alkyl, or of an aluminium alkyl halide, with water or with other compounds containing predetermined quantities of available water, such as, for example, in the case of the reaction of aluminium trimethyl with aluminium sulfate hexahydrate, copper sulfate pentahydrate or iron sulfate pentahydrate.

Said aluminoxanes, and particularly methyl aluminoxane (MAO) are compounds which can be obtained by means of known organometallic chemical processes, such as, for example, by the addition of aluminium trimethyl to a suspension in hexane of aluminium sulfate hydrate.

When used for the formation of a catalytic (co)polymerization system according to the present invention, the aluminoxanes having general formula (III) may be preferably put in contact with a bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I), in such proportions that the molar ratio between the aluminium (Al) present in the aluminoxane having general formula (III) and the cobalt present in the bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) can range from 10 to 10000, preferably from 100 to 5000. The sequence with which the bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) and the aluminoxane having general formula (III) are put in contact with each other, is not particularly critical.

In addition to the above preferred aluminoxanes having general formula (III), the definition of the compound (b₂) according to the present invention also include galloxanes, wherein, in general formula (III), gallium is present in substitution of the aluminium, and stannoxanes, wherein, in general formula (III), tin is present in substitution of the aluminium, whose use as co-catalysts in the polymerization of olefins in the presence of metallocene complexes, is known. Further details relating to said galloxanes and stannoxanes can be found, for example, in American patents U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,295 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,475.

Specific examples of aluminoxanes having general formula (III) which are particularly useful for the aim of the present invention are: methylaluminoxane (MAO), ethyl-aluminoxane, n-butyl-aluminoxane, tetra-iso-butyl-aluminoxane (TIBAO), tert-butyl-aluminoxane, tetra-(2,4,4-tri-methyl-pentyl)-aluminoxane (TIOAO), tetra-(2,3-di-methyl-butyl)-aluminoxane (TDMBAO), tetra-(2,3,3-tri-methyl-butyl)-aluminoxane (TDMBAO). Methylaluminoxane (MAO) is particularly preferred.

Further details relating to the aluminoxanes having general formula (III) can be found in international patent application WO 2011/061151.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said compounds or mixtures of compounds (b₃) can be selected from organic compounds of aluminium and especially boron, such as, for example, those represented by the following general formulae: [(R_(C))_(W)H_(4-W)].[B(R_(D))₄]⁻;B(R_(D))₃;Al(R_(D))₃;B(R_(D))₃P; [Ph₃C]⁺.[B(R_(D))₄]⁻;[(R_(C))₃PH]⁺.[B(R_(D))₄]⁻; [Li]⁺.[B(R_(D))₄]⁻;[Li]⁺.[Al(R_(D))₄]⁻ wherein w is an integer ranging from 0 to 3, each group R_(C) independently represents an alkyl group or an aryl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and each group R_(D) independently represents an aryl group partially or totally, preferably totally, fluorinated, having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, P represents a pyrrole radical, optionally substituted.

When used for the formation of a catalytic (co)polymerization system according to the present invention, the compounds or mixtures of compounds (b₃) may be preferably put in contact with a bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I), in such proportions that the molar ratio between the metal (M′) present in the compounds or mixtures of compounds (b₃) and the cobalt present in the bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) ranges from 0.1 to 15, preferably from 0.5 to 10, more preferably from 1 to 6. The sequence with which the bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) and the compound or mixture of compounds (b₃) are put in contact with each other, is not particularly critical.

Said compounds or mixtures of compounds (b₃), especially when X₁ and X₂ in the bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) are different from alkyl, must be used in a combination with an aluminoxane having general formula (III) such as, for example, methylaluminoxane (MAO), or, preferably, with an aluminium alkyl having general formula (II), more preferably an aluminium trialkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms in each alkyl residue such as, for example, tri-methyl-aluminium, tri-ethyl-aluminium, tri-iso-butylaluminium (TIBA).

Examples of the methods generally used for the formation of a catalytic (co)polymerization system according to the present invention, when compounds or mixtures of compounds (b₃) are used, are qualitatively schematized in the following list, which however in no way limits the overall scope of the present invention:

-   (m₁) contact of a bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having     general formula (I) wherein at least one of X₁ and X₂ is an alkyl     group, with at least one compound or mixture of compounds (b₃) whose     cation is capable of reacting with said alkyl group to form a     neutral compound, and whose anion is voluminous, non-coordinating     and capable of delocalizing the negative charge; -   (m₂) reaction of a bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having     general formula (I) with at least one aluminium alkyl having general     formula (II), preferably an aluminium trialkyl, used in a molar     excess of 10/1 to 300/1, followed by reaction with a strong Lewis     acid, such as, for example, tris(pentafluorophenyl)boron [compound     (b₃)], in an almost stoichiometric quantity or in slight excess with     respect to the cobalt (Co); -   (m₃) contact and reaction of a bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt     having general formula (I) with a molar excess of 10/1 to 1000/1,     preferably from 100/1 to 500/1, of at least one aluminium trialkyl     or an alkyl aluminium halide represented by the formula     AlR′″_(m)Z_(3-m) wherein R′″ is a linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl     group, or a mixture thereof, Z is a halogen, preferably chlorine or     bromine, and m is a decimal number ranging from 1 to 3, followed by     addition, to the composition thus obtained, of at least one compound     or mixture of compounds (b₃) in such quantities that the ratio     between said compound or mixture of compounds (b₃) or the aluminium     of said compound or mixture of compounds (b₃) and the cobalt of the     bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I)     ranges from 0.1 to 15, preferably from 1 to 6.

Examples of compounds or mixtures of compounds (b₃) capable of producing an ionic catalytic system by reaction with a bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) according to the present invention, are described, although with reference to the formation of ionic metallocene complexes, in the following publications, whose contents are incorporated herein as reference:

-   -   W. Beck et al., “Chemical Reviews” (1988), Vol. 88, pages         1405-1421;     -   S. H. Stares, “Chemical Reviews” (1993), Vol. 93, pages 927-942;     -   European patent applications EP 277 003, EP 495 375, EP 520 732,         EP 427 697, EP 421 659, EP 418044;     -   published international patent applications WO 92/00333, WO         92/05208.

Specific examples of a compound or mixture of compounds (b₃) particularly useful for the aim of the present invention are: tributylammonium-tetrakis-pentafluorophenyl-borate tributylammonium-tetrakis-pentafluorophenyl-aluminate, tributylammonium-tetrakis-[(3,5-di-(trifluorophenyl)]-borate, tributylammonium-tetrakis-(4-fluorophenyl)]-borate, N,N-dimethylbenzyl-ammonium-tetrakis-pentafluoro-phenyl-borate, N,N-di-methyl-hexylammonium-tetrakis-pentafluorophenyl-borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium-tetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl)-borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium-tetrakis-(pentafluoro-phenyl)-aluminate, di-(propyl)-ammonium-tetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl)-borate, di-(cyclohexyl)-ammonium-tetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl)-borate, tri-phenyl-carbenium-tetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl)-borate, tri-phenylcarbenium-tetrakis-(penta-fluorophenyl)-aluminate, tris(pentafluorophenyl)boron, tris(penta-fluorophenyl)-aluminium, or mixtures thereof. Tetrakis-pentafluorophenyl-borates are preferred.

For the aim of the present description and of the following claims, the term “mole” and “molar ratio” are used with reference to compounds consisting of molecules and also with reference to atoms and ions, omitting, for the latter, the terms gram atom or atomic ratio, even if scientifically more correct.

Other additives or components can be optionally added to the above catalytic system in order to adapt it so as to satisfy specific practical requirements. The catalytic systems thus obtained should therefore be considered as being included in the scope of the present invention. Additives and/or components which can be added in the preparation and/or formulation of the above catalytic system are, for example: inert solvents, such as, for example, aliphatic and/or aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic and/or aromatic ethers, weakly coordinating additives (e.g. Lewis bases) selected, for example, from non-polymerizable olefins, sterically hindered or electronically poor ethers, halogenating agents such as, for example, silicon halides, halogenated hydrocarbons, preferably chlorinated; or mixtures thereof.

As already specified above, said catalytic system can be prepared according to methods known in the art.

Said catalytic system, for example, can be prepared separately (preformed) and subsequently introduced into the (co)polymerization environment. In this respect, said catalytic system can be prepared by reacting at least one bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) with at least one co-catalyst (b), optionally in the presence of other additives or components selected from those listed above, in the presence of a solvent such as, for example, toluene, heptane, at a temperature ranging from 20° C. to 60° C., for a time ranging from 10 seconds to 10 hours, preferably from 30 seconds to 5 hours. Further details on the preparation of said catalytic system can be found in the examples provided hereunder.

Alternatively, said catalytic system can be prepared in situ, i.e. directly in the (co)polymerization environment. In this respect, said catalytic system can be prepared by introducing the bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I), the co-catalyst (b) and the preselected conjugated diene(s) to be (co)polymerized, separately, operating under the conditions in which the (co)polymerization is carried out.

For the aim of the process object of the present invention, said catalytic systems can also be supported on inert solids, preferably consisting of silicon and/or aluminium oxides, such as, for example, silica, alumina or silico-aluminates. The known supporting techniques can be used for supporting said catalytic systems, generally comprising contact, in a suitable inert liquid medium, between the carrier, optionally activated by heating to temperatures higher than 200° C., and one or both of components, i.e. the bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) and the co-catalyst (b), of the catalytic system, object of the present invention. For the aim of the present invention, it is not necessary for both components to be supported, as the bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) alone, or the co-catalyst (b) alone, can be present on the surface of the carrier. In the latter case, the missing component on the surface is subsequently put in contact with the supported component, at the moment in which the catalyst active for the polymerization is to be formed.

The bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I), and the catalytic systems based thereon, which have been supported on a solid by the functionalization of the latter and formation of a covalent bond between the solid and bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I), are also included in the scope of the present invention.

The quantity of bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) and co-catalyst (b) that can be used in the process, object of the present invention, varies according to the (co)polymerization process to be carried out. Said quantity is in any case such as to obtain a molar ratio between the cobalt present in the bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) and the metal present in the co-catalyst (b), e.g., aluminium when the co-catalyst (b) is selected from aluminium alkyls (b₁) or aluminoxanes (b₂), boron when the co-catalyst (b) is selected from compounds (b₃) having general formula (III), included within the values indicated above.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said process can be carried out in the presence of an inert organic solvent selected, for example, from: saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as, for example, butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, or mixtures thereof; saturated cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons such as, for example, cyclopentane, cyclohexane, or mixtures thereof; mono-olefins such as, for example, 1-butene, 2-butene, or mixtures thereof; aromatic hydrocarbons such as, for example, benzene, toluene, xylene, or mixtures thereof; halogenated hydrocarbons such as, for example, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, 1,2-dichloroethane, chlorobenzene, bromobenzene, chlorotoluene, or mixtures thereof. Said solvent is preferably selected from saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons.

Alternatively, said process can be carried out using, as solvent, the same conjugated diene(s) to be (co)polymerized, according to the process known as “bulk process”.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the concentration of the conjugated diene to be (co)polymerized in said inert organic solvent ranges from 5% by weight to 50% by weight, preferably from 10% by weight to 20% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the mixture of conjugated diene and inert organic solvent.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said process can be carried out at a temperature ranging from −70° C. to +100° C., preferably from −20° C. to +80° C.

As far as the pressure is concerned, it is preferable to operate at the pressure of the components of the mixture to be (co)polymerized.

Said process can be carried out either in continuous or batchwise.

As indicated above, said process allows (co)polymers of conjugated dienes to be obtained, such as, for example, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, in particular, linear or branched polybutadiene, with a high content of 1,4-cis units, i.e. a content of 1,4-cis units ≧97%.

Some illustrative and non-limiting examples are provided hereunder for a better understanding of the present invention and for its practical embodiment.

EXAMPLES Reagents and Materials

The reagents and materials used in the following examples of the invention are indicated in the following list, together with their optional pretreatments and their supplier:

-   -   aniline (Aldrich): distilled at reduced pressure and preserved         in an inert atmosphere;     -   cobalt dichloride (CoCl₂) (Stream Chemicals): used as such;     -   cobalt dichloride hexahydrate (CoCl₂.6H₂O) (Stream Chemicals):         used as such;     -   tetrahydrofuran (THF) (Carlo Erba, RPE): kept at reflux         temperature on potassium/benzophenone and then distilled under         nitrogen;     -   methanol (Carlo Erba, RPE): anhydrified by distillation on         magnesium (Mg), or used as such;     -   ethanol (Carlo Erba, RPE): anhydrified by distillation on         magnesium (Mg);     -   n-butanol (Carlo Erba, RPE): anhydrified by distillation on         magnesium (Mg);     -   isopropyl alcohol (Carlo Erba, RPE): anhydrified by distillation         on magnesium (Mg);     -   formic acid (85%) (Carlo Erba, RPE): used as such;     -   2-tert-butylaniline (Aldrich): distilled at reduced pressure and         preserved in an inert atmosphere;     -   2,6-di-iso-propylaniline (Aldrich): distilled at reduced         pressure and preserved in an inert atmosphere;     -   toluene (Aldrich): pure, ≧99.5%, distilled on sodium (Na) in an         inert atmosphere;     -   1,3-butadiene (Air Liquide): pure, ≧99.5%, evaporated from the         container before each production, dried by passing it through a         column packed with molecular sieves and condensed inside the         reactor which has been pre-cooled to −20° C.;     -   methylaluminoxane (MAO) (toluene solution at 10% by weight)         (Aldrich): used as such;     -   n-heptane (Aldrich): pure, ≧99%, distilled on sodium (Na) in an         inert atmosphere;     -   pentane (Aldrich): pure, ≧99%, distilled on sodium (Na) in an         inert atmosphere;     -   dichloromethane (Aldrich): pure, ≧99%, distilled on calcium         hydride (CaH₂) in an inert atmosphere;     -   deuterated tetrachloroethane (C₂D₂Cl₄) (Acros): used as such;     -   deuterated chloroform (CDCl₃) (Acros): used as such;         cyclohexylamine (Aldrich): used as such;     -   benzylamine (Aldrich): used as such;     -   2,6-di-acetylpyridine (Aldrich): used as such;     -   glacial acetic acid (Aldrich): used as such;     -   hydrochloric acid in aqueous solution at 37% (Aldrich): used as         such.

The analysis and characterization methods indicated below were used.

Elemental Analysis

a) Determination of Co

For the determination of the weight quantity of cobalt (Co) in the bis-imino-pyridine complexes of cobalt used for the aim of the present invention, an aliquot weighed exactly, operating in a dry-box under a nitrogen flow, of about 30-50 mg of sample, was placed in a platinum crucible of about 30 ml, together with a mixture of 1 ml of hydrofluoric acid (HF) at 40%, 0.25 ml of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) at 96% and 1 ml of nitric acid (HNO₃) at 70%. The crucible was then heated on a plate, increasing the temperature until the appearance of white sulfuric fumes (about 200° C.). The mixture thus obtained was cooled to room temperature (20° C.-25° C.), 1 ml of nitric acid (HNO₃) at 70% was added and the mixture was then heated until the re-appearance of fumes. After repeating the sequence a further two times, a limpid, almost colourless solution was obtained. 1 ml of nitric acid (HNO₃) and about 15 ml of water were then added, without heat, and the mixture was then heated to 80° C. for about 30 minutes. The sample thus prepared was diluted with water having a MilliQ purity up to a weight of about 50 g, weighed exactly, to obtain a solution on which analytical instrumental determination was carried out using an ICP-OES (optical detection plasma) Thermo Optek IRIS Advantage Duo spectrometer, by comparison with solutions at a known concentration. For this aim, a calibration curve was prepared for each analyte, within the range of 0 ppm-10 ppm, measuring solutions having a known titre obtained by dilution by weight of certified solutions.

The solution of the sample prepared as described above was diluted again by weight so as to obtain concentrations close to those used as reference, before carrying out spectrophotometric detection. All the samples were prepared in duplicate. The results were considered acceptable if the single data of the tests in duplicate did not differ by more than 2% relative with respect to their average value.

b) Chlorine Determination

For this aim, samples of the bis-imino-pyridine complexes of cobalt used for the aim of the present invention, about 30 mg-50 mg, were weighed exactly in 100 ml glasses in a dry-box under a stream of nitrogen. 2 g of sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) and 50 ml of MilliQ water were added, outside the dry-box. The mixture was brought to boiling point on a plate under magnetic stirring for about 30 minutes. It was left to cool, diluted sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) 1/5 was added until the reaction became acid and the mixture was titrated with silver nitrate (AgNO₃) 0.1N with a potentiometer titrator.

c) Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Oxygen

The determination of the carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen, in the bis-imino-pyridine complexes of cobalt, used for the aim of the present invention, and also in the ligands used for the aim of the present invention, was carried out by means of a Thermo Flash 2000 automatic analyzer, whereas the determination of the oxygen was carried out by means of a Thermo EA1100 automatic analyzer.

¹³C-HMR and ¹H-HMR Spectra

The ¹³C-HMR and ¹H-HMR spectra were registered by means of a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer mod. Bruker Avance 400, using deuterated tetrachloroethylene (C₂D₂Cl₄) at 103° C., and hexamethyldisiloxane (HDMS) as internal standard, or using deuterated chloroform (CDCl₃), at 25° C., and tetramethylsilane (TMS) as internal standard. Polymeric solutions having concentrations equal to 10% by weight with respect to the total weight of the polymeric solution, were used for the aim.

The microstructure of the polymers [i.e. content of 1,4-cis units (%)] was determined by analysis of the above spectra on the basis of what is indicated in literature by Mochel, V. D., in “Journal of Polymer Science Part A-1: Polymer Chemistry” (1972), Vol. 10, Issue 4, pages 1009-1018.

I.R. Spectra

The I.R. spectra (FT-IR) were registered by means of Thermo Nicolet Nexus 670 and Bruker IFS 48 spectrophotometers.

The I.R. spectra (FT-IR) of the ligands used in the present invention, were obtained by dispersing the ligand to be analyzed in anhydrous potassium bromide (KBr) (disks of KBr), or in a suspension of nujol.

The I.R. spectra (FT-IR) of the bis-imino-pyridine complexes of cobalt used in the present invention, were obtained by dispersing the bis-imino-pyridine complex of cobalt to be analyzed in anhydrous potassium bromide (KBr) (disks of KBr), or in a suspension of nujol.

The I.R. spectra (FT-IR) of the polymers were obtained from polymeric films on tablets of potassium bromide (KBr), said films being obtained by deposition of a solution of the polymer to be analyzed in hot o-dichlorobenzene. The concentration of the polymeric solutions analyzed was equal to 10% by weight with respect to the total weight of the polymeric solution.

Thermal Analysis (DSC)

The DSC (“Differential Scanning calorimetry”) thermal analysis, for determining the melting point (T_(m)) and crystallization temperature (T_(a)) of the polymers obtained, was carried out using a Perkin Elmer Pyris differential scanning calorimeter. For this aim, 5 mg of polymer were analyzed, with a scanning rate ranging from 1° C./min to 20° C./min, in an inert nitrogen atmosphere.

The DSC (“Differential Scanning calorimetry”) thermal analysis, for determining the glass transition temperature (T_(g)) of the polymers obtained was carried out by means of the above calorimeter, using the following thermal program: isotherm for 3 minutes at +70° C.; cooling from +70° C. to −90° C. at a rate of 10° C./min; isotherm for 3 min at −90° C.; heating from −90° C. to +70° C. at a rate of 10° C./min.

Molecular Weight Determination

The determination of the molecular weight (MW) of the polymers obtained was carried out by means of GPC (“Gel Permeation Chromatography”) operating under the following conditions:

-   -   Agilent 1100 pump;     -   I.R. Agilent 1100 detector;     -   PL Mixed-A columns;     -   solvent/eluent: tetrahydrofuran (THF);     -   flow-rate 1 ml/min;     -   temperature: 25° C.;     -   molecular mass calculation: Universal Calibration method.

The weight average molecular weight (M_(w)) and polydispersion Index” (PDI) corresponding to the M_(w)/M_(n) ratio (M_(n)=number average molecular weight), are specified.

Determination of the Branching

The determination of the branching of the polymers obtained was carried out by means of the GPC/MALLS technique obtained by coupling a multi-angle light scattering detector (MALLS) with a traditional SEC/RI elution, operating under the following conditions:

-   -   Agilent 1050 pump;     -   I.R. Agilent 1050 detector;     -   MALLS Dawn-DSP Wyatt detector-Technology, λ=632.8 nm;     -   PL GEL Mixed-A (×4) columns;     -   solvent/eluent: tetrahydrofuran (THF);     -   flow-rate 1 ml/min;     -   temperature: 25° C.

Operating as described above, the absolute measurement can be contemporaneously carried out of the molecular weight and gyration radius of the macromolecules that are separated by the chromatographic system: the quantity of light scattered from a macromolecular species in solution can in fact be used directly for obtaining its molecular weight, whereas the angular variation in the scattering is directly correlated to its average dimensions. The fundamental relation which is used is represented by the following equation (1):

$\begin{matrix} {\frac{K*c}{R_{\theta}} = {\frac{1}{M_{w}P_{\theta}} + {2A_{2}c}}} & (1) \end{matrix}$ wherein:

-   -   K* is the optical constant which depends on the wave-length of         the light used, on the refraction index (dn/dc) of the polymer,         on the solvent used;         -   M_(w) is the weight average molecular weight;         -   c is the concentration of the polymeric solution;     -   R_(θ) is the intensity of the light scattered, measured at the         angle θ (excess Rayleigh factor);     -   P_(θ) is the function describing the variation of the light         scattered with the angle at which it is measured, equal to 1 for         an angle θ equal to 0;     -   A₂ is the second virial coefficient.

For very low concentrations (typical of a GPC system), the equation (1) indicated above is reduced to the following equation (2):

$\begin{matrix} {\frac{K*c}{R_{\theta}} = \frac{1}{M_{w}P_{\theta}}} & (2) \end{matrix}$ wherein K*, c, R_(θ), M_(w) and P_(θ), have the same meanings defined above, and by carrying out the measurement on several angles, the extrapolation at angle null of the function K*c/R_(θ) in relation to sen²θ/2 directly provides the molecular weight of the intercept value and the gyration radius of the slope.

Furthermore, as this measurement is carried out for every slice of the chromatogram, it is possible to obtain a distribution of both the molecular weight and the gyration radius.

The macromolecular dimensions in solution are directly correlated to their branching degree: for the same molecular weight, the smaller the dimensions of the macromolecule with respect to the linear correspondent, the higher the branching degree will be.

Information relating to the macrostructure of the polymer is qualitatively deduced from the value of the parameter α, which represents the slope of the curve which correlates the gyration radius with the molecular weight: when, under the same analysis conditions, this value decreases with respect to a macrostructure of the linear type, there is the presence of a polymer having a branched-type macrostructure. The typical value of the parameter α for linear polybutadiene having a high content of 1,4-cis units, in tetrahydrofuran (THF), is equal to 0.58-0.60.

Example 1 Synthesis of the Ligand Having Formula (L1)

5 drops of formic acid were added, under stirring, to a solution of 5.87 g (36 mmoles) of 2,6-di-acetylpyridine and 4.84 g (32.4 mmoles) of 2-tert-butylaniline in anhydrous methanol (85 ml). The solution thus obtained was left in a refrigerator at 0° C., for 24 hours. After this period, the precipitation of a yellow microcrystalline solid product was obtained, which was recovered by filtration, washed with cold methanol and dried, under vacuum, at room temperature, obtaining 7 g of a light yellow solid product (yield=66%) having formula (L1a):

Elemental analysis [found (calculated)]: C, 78.0% (77.5%); H, 7.60% (7.53%); N, 9.65% (9.52%); O, 5.10% (5.45%).

Molecular weight (MW): 294.4.

FT-IR (nujol): 1694 cm⁻¹ ν_((C═O)), 1644 cm⁻¹ ν_((C═N)).

¹HNMR (CDCl₃): 1.39 (s, 9H), 2.41 (s, 3H), 2.80 (s, 3H), 2.54 (dd, 1H), 7.24 (m, 2H), 7.43 (dd, 1H), 7.95 (t, 1H), 8.13 (dd, 1H), 8.50 (dd, 1H).

A mixture of 6.90 g (23.5 mmoles) of the product having formula (L1a) obtained as described above and 17.5 g (188 mmoles) of freshly distilled aniline, was deaerated and heated to 100° C., without stirring, in the presence of molecular sieves 4 Å, for 15 hours. The resulting mixture was diluted with 90 ml of methanol and cooled to 0° C. After 24 hours, yellow microcrystals were isolated, by filtration, which were subsequently washed with cold methanol. The product obtained was re-crystallized from methanol (twice), obtaining 4.3 g of a yellow solid product (yield=50%) having formula (L1).

Elemental analysis [found (calculated)]: C, 81.20% (81.26%); H, 7.30% (7.37%); N, 11.47% (11.37%).

Molecular weight (MW): 369.50.

FT-IR (nujol): 1636 cm⁻¹ ν_((C═N)).

Example 2 Synthesis of the Ligand Having Formula (L2)

2.48 mg (14 mmoles) of 2,6-di-iso-propylaniline were introduced into a reaction flask together with 5 ml of anhydrous methanol, obtaining a limpid solution. 20 ml of anhydrous methanol containing 1.96 g (12 mmoles) of 2,6-diacetylpyridine and 0.25 ml of formic acid were subsequently added dropwise, at room temperature, to said solution. After about 1 hour, the precipitation of a yellow microcrystalline solid product was observed: said yellow solid product was recovered by filtration, washed with cold methanol and dried, under vacuum, at room temperature, obtaining 2.4 g of a light yellow solid product (yield=62%) having formula (L2a).

Elemental analysis [found (calculated)]: C, 77.80% (78.22%); H, 8.24% (8.13%); N, 8.51% (8.69%); O, 4.91% (4.96%).

Molecular weight (MW): 322.45.

FT-IR (nujol): 1700 cm⁻¹ ν_((C═O)), 1648 cm⁻¹ ν_((C═N))

¹H-NMR ((S shift from TMS): 1.16 (d, 12H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.73 (m, 2H), 2.80 (s, 3H), 7.17 (m, 3H), 7.95 (t, 1H), 8.15 (d, 1H), 8.57 (d, 1H).

A mixture of 2.0 g (6.2 mmoles) of the product having formula (L2a) obtained as described above and 4.77 g (51 mmoles) of freshly distilled aniline, was deaerated and heated to 100° C., without stirring, in the presence of molecular sieves 4 Å, for 15 hours. The resulting mixture was diluted with 27 ml of methanol and cooled to 0° C. After 5 hours, yellow microcrystals were isolated, by filtration, which were subsequently washed with cold methanol. The product obtained was re-crystallized from methanol (twice), obtaining 1.5 g of a yellow solid product (yield=61%) having formula (L2).

Elemental analysis [found (calculated)]: C, 81.10% (81.57%); H, 7.93% (7.86%); N, 10.40% (10.57%)

Molecular weight (MW): 397.56.

FT-IR (nujol): 1641 cm⁻¹ ν_((c═N)).

Example 3 Synthesis of the Ligand Having Formula (L5)

6.90 g (23.44 mmoles) of the product having formula (L1a) obtained as described above, 3.50 g (351 mmoles) of cyclohexylamine and a small quantity of chloroform, were heated to 100° C., without stirring, until the complete dissolution of the solid. After 20 hours, the excess of cyclohexylamine was removed and the residue obtained was dissolved in 100 ml of anhydrous methanol and cooled to 0° C. After 6 hours, yellow crystals were isolated, by filtration, which were subsequently washed with cold methanol and dried under vacuum, obtaining 5.72 g of a yellow solid product (yield=65%) having formula (L5).

Elemental analysis [found (calculated)]: C, 80.05% (79.95%); H, 8.90% (8.86%); N, 11.20% (11.19%).

Molecular weight (MW): 375.55.

FT-IR (nujol): 1637 cm⁻¹ ν_((C═N)).

Example 4 Synthesis of the Ligand Having Formula (L3)

2.0 g (6.2 mmoles) of the product having formula (L2a) obtained as described above, were introduced into a reaction flask together with 100 ml of anhydrous ethanol and 0.75 g (12.4 mmoles) of benzylamine and 5 drops of glacial acetic acid were subsequently added, under stirring: the whole was left, under stirring, at room temperature, for 24 hours, obtaining 1.65 g of a light yellow solid product (yield=65%) having formula (L3).

Elemental analysis [found (calculated)]: C, 81.20% (81.71%); H, 8.10% (8.08%); N, 9.7% (10.21%).

Molecular weight (MW): 411.59.

FT-IR (nujol): 1638 cm⁻¹ ν_((C═N)).

Example 5 Synthesis of the Ligand Having Formula (L4)

7.0 g (21.70 mmoles) of the product having formula (L2a) obtained as described above, 32.23 g (325 mmoles) of cyclohexylamine and a small quantity of chloroform, were heated to 100° C., without stirring, until the complete dissolution of the solid. After 20 hours, the excess of cyclohexylamine was removed and the residue obtained was dissolved in 100 ml of anhydrous methanol and cooled to 0° C. After 6 hours, yellow crystals were isolated, by filtration, which were subsequently washed with cold methanol and dried under vacuum, obtaining 6.31 g of a yellow solid product (yield=72%) having formula (L4).

Elemental analysis [found (calculated)]: C, 80.30% (80.35%); H, 9.10% (9.24%); N, 10.40% (10.41%).

Molecular weight (MW): 403.60.

FT-IR (nujol): 1636 cm⁻¹ ν_((C═N)).

Example 6 Synthesis of CoCl₂(L1) [Sample GL771]

Anhydrous cobalt dichloride (CoCl₂) (0.51 g; 4.15 mmoles) was introduced into a 100 ml reaction flask together with tetrahydrofuran (THF) (50 ml). The whole was kept under stirring, at room temperature, for a few minutes and the ligand having formula (L1) (1.71 g; 4.63 mmoles; molar ratio L1/Co=1.1) obtained as described in Example 1, was subsequently added. Upon the addition of the ligand, a green-coloured suspension was immediately formed, which was kept, under stirring, at room temperature, for 1 day. The solvent was then removed under vacuum and the residue obtained was dried under vacuum, at room temperature, and subsequently charged onto the porous septum of a hot extractor for solids and was extracted, in continuous, with pentane at boiling point, for 24 hours, in order to remove the non-reacted ligand. The green-coloured residue remaining on the porous septum was recovered and dried under vacuum, at room temperature and was subsequently charged onto a new porous septum of a hot extractor for solids and was extracted again, in continuous, with dichloromethane at boiling point for 24 hours, obtaining a green-coloured solution. The dichloromethane was removed under vacuum and the solid residue remaining on the porous septum was recovered and dried under vacuum, at room temperature, obtaining 1.54 g of a very dark green solid product corresponding to the complex CoCl₂(L1), equal to a conversion of 80% with respect to the cobalt dichloride charged.

Elemental analysis [found (calculated)]: C, 59.80% (60.13%); H, 5.10% (5.45%); Cl, 13.90% (14.20%); Co, 11.70% (11.80%); N, 8.20% (8.42%).

Molecular weight (MW): 499.34.

FT-IR (nujol): 1590 cm⁻¹ ν_((C═N)).

Example 7 Synthesis of CoCl₂(L5) [Sample GL923]

Anhydrous cobalt dichloride (CoCl₂) (0.335 g; 2.58 mmoles) was introduced into a 100 ml reaction flask together with tetrahydrofuran (THF) (70 ml). The whole was kept, under stirring, at room temperature, for a few minutes and the ligand having formula (L5) (1.067 g; 2.84 mmoles; molar ratio L5/Co=1.1) obtained as described in Example 3, was subsequently added. Upon the addition of the ligand, a green-coloured suspension was immediately formed, which was kept, under stirring, at room temperature, for 1 day. The solvent was then removed under vacuum and the residue obtained was dried under vacuum, at room temperature, obtaining a green solid product that was charged onto the porous septum of a hot extractor for solids and was extracted, in continuous, with pentane at boiling point, for 24 hours, in order to remove the non-reacted ligand. The green-coloured residue remaining on the porous septum was recovered and dried under vacuum at room temperature, obtaining 1.21 g of a dark green solid product corresponding to the complex CoCl₂(L5), equal to a conversion of 93% with respect to the cobalt dichloride charged.

Elemental analysis [found (calculated)]: C, 59.0% (59.41%); H, 6.30% (6.58%); Cl, 13.70% (14.03%); Co, 11.30% (11.66%); N, 8.10% (8.31%).

Molecular weight (MW): 505.39.

FT-IR (nujol): 1590 cm⁻¹ ν_((C═N)).

FIG. 1 shows the FT-IR spectrum of the complex CoCl₂(L5) obtained (the nujol bands having been subtracted).

Example 8 Synthesis of CoCl₂(L4) [Sample B016]

70 mg (0.294 mmoles) of cobalt dichloride (CoCl₂.6H₂O) were dissolved, under a stream of nitrogen, in 10 ml of anhydrified and deaerated n-butanol, heated to reflux temperature. 0.135 g (0.334 mmoles) of the ligand having formula (L4), obtained as described in Example 5, were added to the solution obtained, and after 10 minutes, the solution was concentrated in a stream of nitrogen up to a volume of about 5 ml. 7 ml of n-heptane were subsequently added and the whole was left to slowly cool to room temperature, obtaining 1.21 g of a green-coloured crystalline solid product corresponding to the complex CoCl₂(L4), equal to a conversion of 98% with respect to the cobalt dichloride charged.

Elemental analysis [found (calculated)]: C, 60.55% (60.79%); H, 7.01% (6.99%); N, 8.72% (8.87%).

Molecular weight (MW): 644.1.

FT-IR (nujol): ν_((C═N1)) 1590 cm⁻¹; ν_((C═N2)) 1587 cm⁻¹.

Example 9 GL794

2 ml of 1,3-butadiene equal to about 1.4 g were condensed at a low temperature (−20° C.) in a 25 ml test-tube. 7.2 ml of toluene were then added, and the temperature of the solution thus obtained was brought to 20° C. Methylaluminoxane (MAO) in a toluene solution (6.3 ml; 1×10⁻² moles, equal to about 0.58 g) was then added, and subsequently the complex CoCl₂(L1) [sample GL771] (2.5 ml of a toluene solution at a concentration equal to 2 mg/ml; 1×10⁻⁵ moles, equal to about 5 mg) obtained as described in Example 6. The whole was kept, under magnetic stirring, at 20° C., for 140 minutes. The polymerization was then quenched by the addition of 2 ml of methanol containing a few drops of hydrochloric acid. The polymer obtained was then coagulated by the addition of 40 ml of a methanol solution containing 4% of Irganox® 1076 antioxidant (Ciba), obtaining 0.91 g of polybutadiene having a content of 1,4-cis units equal to 98.1%: further characteristics of the process and polybutadiene obtained are shown in Table 1.

Example 10 GL977

2 ml of 1,3-butadiene equal to about 1.4 g were condensed at a low temperature (−20° C.) in a 25 ml test-tube. 7.2 ml of toluene were then added, and the temperature of the solution thus obtained was brought to 50° C. Methylaluminoxane (MAO) in a toluene solution (6.3 ml; 1×10⁻² moles, equal to about 0.58 g) was then added, and subsequently the complex CoCl₂(L1) [sample GL771] (2.5 ml of a toluene solution at a concentration equal to 2 mg/ml; 1×10⁻⁵ moles, equal to about 5 mg) obtained as described in Example 6. The whole was kept, under magnetic stirring, at 20° C., for 60 minutes. The polymerization was then quenched by the addition of 2 ml of methanol containing a few drops of hydrochloric acid. The polymer obtained was then coagulated by the addition of 40 ml of a methanol solution containing 4% of Irganox® 1076 antioxidant (Ciba), obtaining 0.756 g of polybutadiene having a content of 1,4-cis units equal to 97.9%: further characteristics of the process and polybutadiene obtained are indicated in Table 1.

FIG. 2 shows the FT-IR spectrum of the polybutadiene obtained.

FIG. 4 shows the DSC diagrams of the polybutadiene obtained.

Example 11 GL962

2 ml of 1,3-butadiene equal to about 1.4 g were condensed at a low temperature (−20° C.) in a 25 ml test-tube. 7.2 ml of toluene were then added, and the temperature of the solution thus obtained was brought to 20° C. Methylaluminoxane (MAO) in a toluene solution (6.3 ml; 1×10⁻² moles, equal to about 0.58 g) was then added, and subsequently the complex CoCl₂(L5) [sample GL923] (2.5 ml of a toluene solution at a concentration equal to 2 mg/ml; 1×10⁻⁵ moles, equal to about 5 mg) obtained as described in Example 7. The whole was kept, under magnetic stirring, at 20° C., for 140 minutes. The polymerization was then quenched by the addition of 2 ml of methanol containing a few drops of hydrochloric acid. The polymer obtained was then coagulated by the addition of 40 ml of a methanol solution containing 4% of Irganox® 1076 antioxidant (Ciba), obtaining 1.4 g of polybutadiene having a content of 1,4-cis units equal to 98.6%: further characteristics of the process and polybutadiene obtained are indicated in Table 1.

FIG. 3 shows the ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectra of the polybutadiene obtained.

FIG. 5 shows the DSC diagrams of the polybutadiene obtained.

Example 12 GL978

2 ml of 1,3-butadiene equal to about 1.4 g were condensed at a low temperature (−20° C.) in a 25 ml test-tube. 7.2 ml of toluene were then added, and the temperature of the solution thus obtained was brought to 50° C. Methylaluminoxane (MAO) in a toluene solution (6.3 ml; 1×10⁻² moles, equal to about 0.58 g) was then added, and subsequently the complex CoCl₂(L5) [sample GL923] (2.5 ml of a toluene solution at a concentration equal to 2 mg/ml; 1×10⁻⁵ moles, equal to about 5 mg) obtained as described in Example 7. The whole was kept, under magnetic stirring, at 20° C., for 30 minutes. The polymerization was then quenched by the addition of 2 ml of methanol containing a few drops of hydrochloric acid. The polymer obtained was then coagulated by the addition of 40 ml of a methanol solution containing 4% of Irganox® 1076 antioxidant (Ciba), obtaining 0.820 g of polybutadiene having a content of 1,4-cis units equal to 98.3%: further characteristics of the process and polybutadiene obtained are indicated in Table 1.

FIG. 2 shows the FT-IR spectrum of the polybutadiene obtained.

FIG. 6 shows the DSC diagrams of the polybutadiene obtained.

Example 13 D30

2 ml of 1,3-butadiene equal to about 1.4 g were condensed at a low temperature (−20° C.) in a 25 ml test-tube. 12.6 ml of toluene were then added, and the temperature of the solution thus obtained was brought to 20° C. Methylaluminoxane (MAO) in a toluene solution (3.15 ml; 5×10⁻³ moles, equal to about 0.29 g) was then added, and subsequently the complex CoCl₂(L4) [sample B016] (0.26 ml of a toluene solution at a concentration equal to 2 mg/ml; 1×10⁻⁶ moles, equal to about 0.5 mg) obtained as described in Example 8. The whole was kept, under magnetic stirring, at 20° C., for 90 minutes. The polymerization was then quenched by the addition of 2 ml of methanol containing a few drops of hydrochloric acid. The polymer obtained was then coagulated by the addition of 40 ml of a methanol solution containing 4% of Irganox® 1076 antioxidant (Ciba), obtaining 0.24 g of polybutadiene having a content of 1,4-cis units equal to 97.8%: further characteristics of the process and polybutadiene obtained are indicated in Table 1.

Example 14 P1038

2 ml of 1,3-butadiene equal to about 1.4 g were condensed at a low temperature (−20° C.) in a 25 ml test-tube. 11.5 ml of toluene were then added, and the temperature of the solution thus obtained was brought to 20° C. Methylaluminoxane (MAO) in a toluene solution (3.15 ml; 5×10⁻³ moles, equal to about 0.29 g) was then added, and subsequently the complex CoCl₂(L4) [sample B016] (1.3 ml of a toluene solution at a concentration equal to 2 mg/ml; 5×10⁻⁶ moles, equal to about 2.7 mg) obtained as described in Example 8. The whole was kept, under magnetic stirring, at 20° C., for 52 minutes. The polymerization was then quenched by the addition of 2 ml of methanol containing a few drops of hydrochloric acid. The polymer obtained was then coagulated by the addition of 40 ml of a methanol solution containing 4% of Irganox® 1076 antioxidant (Ciba), obtaining 0.66 g of polybutadiene having a content of 1,4-cis units equal to 98.7%: further characteristics of the process and polybutadiene obtained are indicated in Table 1.

Example 15 P1047

2 ml of 1,3-butadiene equal to about 1.4 g were condensed at a low temperature (−20° C.) in a 25 ml test-tube. 1.27 ml of toluene were then added, and the temperature of the solution thus obtained was brought to 20° C. Methylaluminoxane (MAO) in a toluene solution (0.63 ml; 1×10⁻³ moles, equal to about 0.058 g) was then added, and subsequently the complex CoCl₂(L4) [sample B016] (2.7 ml of a toluene solution at a concentration equal to 2 mg/ml; 1×10⁻⁵ moles, equal to about 5.4 mg) obtained as described in Example 8. The whole was kept, under magnetic stirring, at 20° C., for 71 minutes. The polymerization was then quenched by the addition of 2 ml of methanol containing a few drops of hydrochloric acid. The polymer obtained was then coagulated by the addition of 40 ml of a methanol solution containing 4% of Irganox® 1076 antioxidant (Ciba), obtaining 0.19 g of polybutadiene having a content of 1,4-cis units equal to 97.5%: further characteristics of the process and polybutadiene obtained are indicated in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Polymerization of 1,3-butadiene with catalytic systems including complexes of cobalt Conversion N^((a)) T_(m) ^((b)) T_(c) ^((c)) M_(w) (g × Example (%) (h⁻¹) (° C.) (° C.) mol⁻¹) M_(w)/M_(n) α^((e)) 9 65 722 −12.2 −40.4 199200 2.1 0.56 10 54 1141 −19.4 −66.0 189000 2.1 0.56 11 100 1111 −11.9 −46.0 193000 2.5 0.52 12 58.6 3041 −20.3 −66.7 151000 2.0 0.55 13 17.2 2975 −14.0 −50.1 180300 2.3 0.57 14 46.8 2802 −11.5 −40.2 168700 1.9 0.56 15 13.4 285 −17.6 −53.2 156300 1.8 0.57 ^((a))number of moles of 1,3-butadiene polymerized, per hour, per mole of cobalt; ^((b))melting point; ^((c))crystallization temperature; ^((e))linearity index of polybutadiene 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes which comprises polymerizing at least one conjugated diene in the presence of a catalytic system comprising at least one bis-imine-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I):

wherein: R₂ and R₃, equal to or different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups, optionally halogenated, cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted, or aryl groups optionally substituted; R₁ and R₄, different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom, or they are selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups, optionally halogenated, cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted, aryl groups optionally substituted, or arylalkyl groups; or R₁ and R₂ can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing other heteroatoms; or R₃ and R₄, can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing other heteroatoms; R₅, R₆ and R₇, equal to or different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups, optionally halogenated, cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted, aryl groups optionally substituted, or arylalkyl groups; or R₅ and R₆, can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing other heteroatoms; or R₆ and R₇, can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing other heteroatoms; X₁ and X₂, equal to or different from each other, represent a halogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups, —OCOR₈ groups or —OR₈ groups wherein R₈ is selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups.
 2. The process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes according to claim 1, wherein said catalytic system comprises at least one co-catalyst (b) selected from organic compounds of an element M′ different from carbon, said element M′ being selected from elements belonging to groups 2, 12, 13 or 14 of the Periodic Table of Elements.
 3. The process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes according to claim 2, wherein said co-catalyst (b) is selected from (b₁) aluminium alkyls having general formula (II): Al(X′)_(n)(R₉)_(3-n)  (II) wherein X′ represents a halogen atom; R₉ is selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, or aryl groups, said groups being optionally substituted with one or more silicon or germanium atoms; and n is an integer ranging from 0 to
 2. 4. The process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes according to claim 2, wherein said co-catalyst (b) is selected from (b₂) organo-oxygenated compounds of an element M′ different from carbon belonging to groups 13 or 14 of the Periodic Table of Elements.
 5. The process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes according to claim 2, wherein said co-catalyst (b) is selected from (b₃) organometallic compounds or mixtures of organometallic compounds of an element M′ different from carbon capable of reacting with the bis-imine-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I), extracting therefrom a substituent X₁ or X₂ σ-bound, to form at least one neutral compound, and an ionic compound including a cation containing the metal (Co) coordinated by a ligand of bis-imine-pyridine, and a non-coordinating organic anion containing the metal M′, wherein the negative charge is delocalized on a multicentric structure.
 6. The process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes according to claim 1, wherein said conjugated diene is selected from: 1,3-butadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene (isoprene), 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene, 1,3-hexadiene, cyclo-1,3-hexadiene.
 7. The process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes according to claim 1, wherein in said bis-imine-pyridine complex of cobalt having general formula (I): R₂ and R₃, equal to or different from each other, are a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups; R₁ and R₄, different from each other, are a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted, phenyl groups optionally substituted with linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups, arylalkyl groups; R₅, R₆ and R₇, equal to or different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups; X₁ and X₂, the same as each other, are a halogen atom.
 8. The process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes according to claim 3, wherein said aluminium alkyls (b₁) having general formula (II) are di-ethyl-aluminium chloride (DEAC), mono-ethyl-aluminium dichloride (EADC), ethylaluminiumsesquichloride (EASC).
 9. The process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes according to claim 4, wherein said organo-oxygenated compounds (b₂) are selected from aluminoxanes having general formula (III): (R₁₀)₂—Al—O—[—Al(R₁₁)—O-]_(p)-Al—(R₁₂)₂  (III) wherein R₁₀, R₁₁ and R₁₂, equal to or different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom; or they are selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, or aryl groups, said groups being optionally substituted with one or more silicon or germanium atoms; and p is an integer ranging from 0 to 1,000.
 10. The process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes according to claim 9, wherein said organo-oxygenated compound (b₂) is methylaluminoxane (MAO).
 11. The process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes according to claim 5, wherein said compounds or mixtures of compounds (b₃) are selected from organic compounds of aluminium and boron represented by the following general formulae: [(R_(C))_(W)H_(4-W)].[B(R_(D))₄]⁻;B(R_(D))₃;Al(R_(D))₃;B(R_(D))₃P;[Ph₃C]⁺.[B(R_(D))₄]⁻;[(R_(C))₃PH]⁺.[B(R_(D))₄]⁻;[Li]⁺.[B(R_(D))₄]⁻;[Li]⁺.[Al(R_(D))₄]⁻ wherein w is an integer ranging from 0 to 3, each group R_(C) independently represents an alkyl group or an aryl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and each group R_(D) independently represents an aryl group partially or totally fluorinated, having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, P represents a pyrrole radical optionally substituted.
 12. The process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes according to claim 1, wherein said process is carried out in the presence of an inert organic solvent selected from: butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, or mixtures thereof; cyclopentane, cyclohexane, or mixtures thereof; 1-butene, 2-butene, or mixtures thereof; benzene, toluene, xylene, or mixtures thereof; methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, 1,2-dichloroethane, chlorobenzene, bromobenzene, chlorotoluene, or mixtures thereof.
 13. The process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes according to claim 12, wherein the concentration of the conjugated diene to be (co)polymerized in said inert organic solvent ranges from 5% by weight to 50% by weight with respect to the total weight of the mixture of conjugated diene and inert organic solvent.
 14. The process for the preparation of (co)polymers of conjugated dienes according to claim 1, wherein said process is carried out at a temperature ranging from −70° C. to +100° C. 